Taxonomic Characterization: Females have a 4-segmented urosome and a rostrum with two closely-set, rounded lobes bearing a pair of stout filaments. The caudal rami are longer than wide and only slightly asymmetrical. Males have a 5-segmented urosome and asymmetrical caudal rami. B. ornata is unique in having an elongate caudal seta V on the right ramus of the female and on the left ramus of the male and in having rows of spinules on the praecoxal and coxal endites
(Fosshagen, Boxshall & Iliffe, 2001).

Disposition of Specimens: All specimens were deposited in the The Museum of Natural History, London: female holotype BM(NH) 1998.2773; male paratype BM(NH) 2001.392.

Ecological Classification: Stygobitic

Size: Body length of female 1.20 mm; male 1.33 mm.

Number of Species in Genus: Two

Genus Range: The genus Balinella was originally reported from the Exuma
Cays on the Great Bahama Bank (Fosshagen et al., 2001) and Sweetings Cay, near Grand Bahama Island, on
the Little Bahama Bank (Fosshagen & Iliffe, 2004). These two shallow water banks are separated from
one another by a deep water channel. Balinella yucatanensis is the
first member of the calanoid family Epacteriscidae to be reported from Mexico.

Species Range: This species was originally described from Norman's Pond Cave on Norman's Pond Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas.
New records of the species from Virgo Blue Hole, Sagittarius Blue Hole, and
Lucy's Cave, all on Sweetings Cay, near Grand Bahama Island were reported by
Fosshagen & Iliffe (2004). The new records are on the Little Bahama Bank,
separated by a deep water channel from Norman's Pond Cave on the Great Bahama
Bank.

Closest Related Species:B. ornata is most closely related
to its only congener B. yucatanenis inhabiting anchialine caves in the Bahamas.
The genus Balinella resembles Erebonectes and Erebonectoides in retaining many plesiomorphic characters and few reductions and modifications of the mouthparts (Fosshagen
et al., 2001).

Habitat: Anchialine limestone caves

Ecology: The two specimens were collected in the upper levels of Norman's Pond Cave with a fine mesh plankton net in 10-35 m water depths. One specimen was collected from silt, while the other was collected from the water column. Norman's Pond Cave is close to the coast and is fully marine. It was found in occurrence with Exumellina bucculenta and a stephid calanoid copepod belonging to Miostephos.
The Sweetings Cay specimens were collected from fully marine waters between
15-25 m depths in inland, anchialine blue holes.